Fuel cell and electrolyte membrane therefor
AssigneeKabushikikaisha Equos Research
InventorsNoboru Nakano, Ryuji Azuma, Motohiro Nakashima, Munehisa Horiguchi
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Abstract
The fuel cell disclosed in the present specification is provided with an electrolyte membrane comprising a three-dimensional structure composed of bridged chains of a first polymer stable to water, and a second polymer having a function as an electrolyte. In such an electrolyte membrane, the bridged chains of the first polymer hold the second polymer, and hence the membrane does not swell with water. Furthermore, the electrolyte membrane can be properly designed depending on conditions required of the fuel cell, by choosing the first and second polymers.
Claims16
A fuel cell comprising:
- an oxidation agent electrode;
- a fuel electrode;
- an electrolyte membrane comprising a three-dimensional structure composed of bridged chains of a first polymer stable to water, and a polyelectrolyte, wherein the said three-dimensional structure and said electrolyte is substantially uniformly distributed in the membrane.
An electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, comprising;
- a three-dimensional structure composed of bridged chains of a polymeric alcohol stable to water;
- and a polyelectrolyte which is a sulfonated product of a fluorine-containing polymer having ion-exchange ability;
- wherein said three dimensional structure and said electrolyte is supported by a porous supporting member and is substantially uniformly distributed in the membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.